On Wed, 4 Jun 2003 10:06:00 -0400, you wrote: >Can anyone explain why British Airways has two "franchises" based in = London >that fly full-sized jets? I'm referring to GB Airways and British >Mediterranean Airways. Both are described at >http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bafran/public/en_us amongst = listings >for what in the USA would be regional airlines as well as three airlines >based in Africa that apparently fly under BA colors. > >GB Airways and British Mediterranean Airways seem to have very specific >mandates, but I can't figure out why those mandates aren't served by the >main line. Is this at all related to airlines that have separately = marked >planes for flights to Taiwan? > >Curious, but not flaming anyone, >Nick The fanchising is done for a simple reason: the franchise carriers are cheaper than BA .. They pretty well lose their identity, have planes and crew in BA livery, pay BA for marketing and sales. But they all seem to make money. -- Visit Caribbean Aviation: http://www.caribbeanaviation.com/